Retired NFL player sues EA for 'likeness' use in Madden NFL football games

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Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers football player Tony Davis is taking EA to court over the use of his likeness in Madden NFL football games. He alleged that EA avoided paying for the likenesses of retired players such as himself, trying to avoid payment by slightly altering details of players digital likeness in the games. No specific damages have been posted but sources suggest they are "likely to be in the tens of millions of dollars.".

Back in 2008, EA Sports was sued by former NFL great Jim Brown who claimed that his likeness had been stolen by the publisher and used in an all-time team in the Madden series. Although his case was dismissed in US District Court, Brown has filed an appeal, and the future of that lawsuit remains up in the air.

Several college players have litigated over the use of their likenesses in NCAA football video games. In addition, the NFL Players Assn. last year reached a $26-million settlement with retired players over the use of their likenesses in Madden NFL games.